Before your climb aboard Capital MetroRail, learn more about how to use the service. The following links contains useful information that will help you enjoy a smoother ride.

How to Ride the MetroRail
How to Use the Ticket Vending Machine
Conduct
Accessibility
Bike-N-Ride
Wi-Fi To Go

Step 1: Buy your fare. Capital Metro encourages you to plan ahead and purchase your pass in advance. Passes purchased from the transit store, retail outlets and online must be validated at a station validator on the train platform prior to boarding.

Once at the station platform, you will be required to possess a valid ticket while awaiting the train’s arrival. Capital Metro will randomly inspect fares on the MetroRail trains. If you don’t have a valid ticket or pass you may be subject to citations, fines or removal from the train at the next station.

Step 2: Go to your nearest rail station. There are nine stations from Leander to downtown Austin. Most stations are served by regular bus routes. Leander, Lakeline and Howard Station have Park & Rides.

Tickets and passes may also be purchased from a ticket vending machine (TVM) located at each station. All tickets and passes issued from the TVM are validated upon purchase. Arrive early to purchase your fare from the TVM.

Step 3: Locate your train and wait safely. Announcements at the station will inform customers when the next train is expected to arrive. Wait for the train from a safe distance by standing behind the white warning strip on the platform. Arriving trains stop at all stations. Once the train has stopped, the doors open automatically.

Step 4: Let other passengers exit before you board the train. It is easier and faster for everyone if you allow other passengers to get off the train before you board.

Step 5: Find an available seat or safe standing location. You may take any open seat on the train. Lower-level front seats are reserved for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. If all seats are occupied, you should find a safe place to stand.

Step 6: Get off at your stop. The train will stop at every station along the Red Line. To exit, the doors will open automatically.

Step 7: Go to your final destination. Upon arriving at the station you can walk, bike or transfer to a bus to reach your final destination. If you are transferring, you can check the information at the platform to learn how to catch the next bus.

Click Here for a Short Video on How to Ride Capital MetroRail

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Important: Capital Metro recommends you plan ahead by purchasing your pass in advance or arrive as early as possible at your station in the event you wish to purchase a ticket or pass from the TVM. If you miss the train, you will have to wait for the next one (approx. 35 minutes) or choose to ride the bus. Many of our rail stations also provide bus service.

Follow the steps below to purchase your fare from the TVM.

Step 1 Select the Service Type. Press any button to activate the main menu. Select the type of service for which you plan to purchase a fare. (Here you can also select to view the screens in Spanish. For voice assistance, press the audio button above the video screen.) By pressing the help button, you can receive a detailed explanation of each service.

Step 2 Select the Ticket Type. Choose the type of ticket or pass you wish to purchase. Capital MetroRail Choices:

• Two-Hour Tickets (Single or All Zones^*) – Validated at the time of purchase and good for two hours. It may be used on MetroRail and the Rail Connector buses at Downtown (routes 460, 461, 462) and MLK, Jr. (routes 464, 465) Stations. These tickets are not good for any other services.
• MetroPlus Day Pass—Good for 24 hours on all MetroRail and MetroBus services.
• MetroPlus 31-Day Pass—Good for 31 days after activation on all MetroRail and MetroBus services.

^*Capital MetroRail is divided into two fare zones. The zone boundary is between Kramer and Howard Station. If your trip crosses the zone boundary you pay an All Zones fare.
Note: TVM’s do not sell the Capital MetroPlus 5-Day Pass.

Step 3 Select the Fare Type. Select the appropriate type of fare: Full Fare or Reduced Fare. To qualify for a reduced fare you must either be a student 6-18 years of age with a school ID or active or reserve military with an ID.

Step 4 Select Number of Tickets and Enter Payment. To purchase more than one ticket or pass, press the “Increase Quantity” button. Once you are satisfied with the amount, insert the amount due. TVMs accept coins, bills, credit cards and electronic change cards. The TVMs issue change in the form of an electronic change card (ECC). The ECC is valid ONLY for purchasing additional tickets or passes at TVMs and is valid for 15 days from original date of issue.

Note: The ECC is designed to allow you to pay for an entire transaction if the value of your card is equal to or greater than your purchase amount. If there isn’t a sufficient balance on the ECC for completing a transaction, you must first deposit the appropriate amount of bills or coins up to the value that is needed to complete your transaction and then use your ECC to pay the remaining amount.

Step 5 Take your Ticket and Board the Train. Tickets and ECC’s (electronic change cards) are dispensed at the bottom of the TVM. All tickets are validated at time of purchase from the ticket vending machines.

Click Here for a Short Video on How to Use the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM)

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Capital Metro policies protect the safety, security and health of our passengers.

• Food and smoking is prohibited on the MetroRail trains.

• Drinks are only allowed in spill-proof containers, for example water bottles or travel mugs with re-sealable lids. Open cans, unscrewed bottles and paper or styrofoam cups with lids and straws are not allowed.

• Children under six years old must be accompanied by an adult.

• Animals are prohibited except for service animals.

• Always yield the priority seating to seniors and people with disabilities.

• Do not play radios or musical instruments. Please use headphones with audio and visual devices.

• Alcohol and tobacco are prohibited.

• Weapons (except licensed, concealed handguns), explosives, flammable liquids and other hazardous materials are not permitted on the trains.

• Vandalism or willful destruction of Capital Metro property is punishable by fine or imprisonment.

• If you don’t have a valid ticket or pass you may be subject to citations, fines or removal from the train at the next station.

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Capital MetroRail vehicles and stations are fully accessible.

• Textured strips mark the edge of the station platform. Always stay away from the edge of the platform.

• MetroRail vehicle entrances are level to the station platforms.

• The front seats on the lower-level are reserved for the elderly, persons in wheelchairs or other riders with disabilities. Passengers in mobility devices do not need to strap or buckle into the train.

• All stations and vehicles have spoken and visual announcements. Spoken instructions and Braille are on ticket vending machines.

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Bikes are welcomed on Capital MetroRail trains. When trains are full, bikes are limited to eight total per train—four per compartment. Hook your bike on the rack and have a seat, or stand with your bike.

• Cyclists must always cross to the station platform at the designated crossing.

• Cyclists are prohibited from riding bicycles in the station areas, corridors, or on platforms.

• Cyclists should always wait for the train behind the white warning strip and should not allow their bicycles to interfere with passengers on the platform.

• Cyclists must wait until all passengers have cleared the doorway before moving their bicycles in or out of the train.

• If available, the onboard location for bicycles is in the mobility-impaired/senior seating area. If a mobility-impaired or senior customer boards the train, cyclists must remove their bicycle and move to a safe standing location.

• In case of an emergency evacuation while on board a train and/or upon direction of MetroRail personnel, or any law enforcement or fire official, bicycles should remain in place and be left on the trains.

Cyclists are responsible for their own bicycles and all actions, injuries, losses and/or damages resulting from their bicycles in station platform areas and on board trains.

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Capital MetroRail trains are equipped with free Wi-Fi service for customers. No login or registration is required. Simply open your portable device and find the Capital Metro wireless network—enjoy the Web on your commute.

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